Device for folding laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry folding machines often produce suboptimal results due to overlap differences during transverse folding, leading to poor folding quality, which is typically tolerated until significant enough to require mechanical adjustments, causing downtime and skill dependency.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with detection means on opposite sides of the folding gap to independently detect the ends of each laundry layer, allowing for the determination of path and time differences, and a length measuring device to calculate the center axis for precise folding, enabling automatic adjustment of overlap differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transverse folding is performed without detection means, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of fold alignment deteriorates due to overlap differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection methods with optical detection means (light barriers, sensors) to detect the ends of laundry layers. This substitution enables precise measurement of overlap differences without complex mechanical measurement systems, thereby improving fold alignment precision while keeping device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection means are arranged to detect the ends of laundry layers automatically as they pass through the folding gap. The system self-regulates by continuously monitoring overlap differences and providing feedback for adjustment, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical adjustments are made to reduce overlap differences, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the loss of time increases due to downtime and skill requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where detection means continuously monitor the ends of laundry layers, measure overlap differences, and provide information for real-time adjustment. This closed-loop feedback enables precise control of overlap differences during operation without requiring停机 for mechanical adjustments, thereby improving manufacturing precision while minimizing time loss.
3Measurement precision
If detection means are arranged on opposite sides of the folding gap, then the measurement precision of overlap differences improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into multiple independent detection means positioned on opposite sides of the folding gap. Each detection means independently detects the end of a laundry layer, and the system processes these separate detections to calculate overlap differences. This segmentation enables precise measurement while allowing each detection component to remain relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
When folding items of laundry (10) transversely, several layers are placed one on top of the other so that they overlap. In order to achieve optimal folding quality, efforts are made to overlap layers of equal length. In practice, this is rarely possible. As a rule, the layers are of unequal length, so that there is an overlap difference. The invention provides for eliminating or at least minimizing the overlapping difference by determining whether there is an overlapping difference and correcting the overlapping difference that may have been determined for transverse folding of the next piece of laundry (10). As a result, detected overlapping differences can be automatically compensated, at least for the most part.